Pools & Spas
How to Tell If Your Pool Is Leaking or Just Evaporating
A falling pool waterline can be normal in hot weather, but steady daily loss deserves attention. Use these practical checks to separate evaporation from a hidden pool leak.
Start With Normal Water Loss
Every pool loses water through heat, sunlight, wind, and general use. On warm dry days, a small drop in level can be part of normal pool ownership.
The pattern matters more than one reading. If the water keeps dropping across different weather conditions, the pool may be losing water through the shell, plumbing, fittings, or equipment line.
- Check the waterline at the same time each day.
- Note wind, heat, recent swimming, and backwashing.
- Compare water loss with the pool pump on and off.
Use the Bucket Test
Place a bucket on a pool step and fill it with pool water until the level inside the bucket matches the pool level outside it. Mark both levels and leave the pool undisturbed for 24 hours.
If the pool level drops more than the bucket level, the pool is likely losing water somewhere other than evaporation.
Watch the Surrounding Area
Leaks often leave clues around the pool before the source is obvious. Soft ground, paving movement, damp equipment pads, and constantly changing chemical balance can all support the case for a leak inspection.
When to Book Leak Detection
Book a specialist inspection when the bucket test points to a leak, when water loss keeps returning, or when the surrounding area shows movement or dampness. Early detection helps protect the pool structure, plumbing, landscaping, and water bill.